How have England fared in their last five major tournaments

Euro 2012

England topped their group after picking up seven points from three games. After drawing to France in the first game, it was against Sweden that the tournament came alive.

The arrival of Theo Walcott at 2-1 down turned the tide. The winger scored one and set up Danny Welbeck’s winner that was the one redeeming feature from the tournament.

Capello would face his compatriots Italy in the quarter-finals but penalties would be England’s foe once more.

After the game finished 0-0 after 180 minutes, a Pirlo-inspired panenka helped to see the Azzurri into the semi-finals.

It was respectable progress for England but yet again spot-kicks would be the downfall.

World Cup – Brazil

The World Cup. In Brazil.

It was all set up for some ‘samba-foot’ both on and off the field.

However, for England, it proved a nightmare.

First Mario Balotelli with a jab and then Luis Suarez with a double body-blow left England on their knees. And crucially out of the competition.

It was a tournament where Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard should’ve been given their final, fitting swansong. It was a first for the likes of Raheem Sterling and Luke Shaw.

But after only three games it was all over. Hodgson was kept on with the hope he’d bring through an exciting group of young players including Ross Barkley, Harry Kane, and Dele Alli.

Euro 2016

The tournament in France was met with a sense of intrigue amongst the general apathy that’s followed the England team for years.

Hodgson brought a squad brimming full over potential with the hope they could spring a surprise.

They scraped through the group stages, showing promise if not a little disjointed. However, Daniel Sturridge’s 92^nd-minute winner over Wales in the second match would become the one cherished moment of the tournament.

Iceland would be the opponents in the last -16. This was the first international competition they’d qualified for and England went in overwhelming favourites.

A Wayne Rooney penalty put England in control as expectation grew. However, once Iceland had scored a second goal Hodgson’s side had no answer. An insipid 70 minutes followed from England who looked stunned.

The final whistle blew in Nice which spelled an end of an era for Hodgson and a need to go back the drawing board.

So, there we have it. After failing to advance past the quarter-final stage since 1990 England are preparing for another run at a major tournament this summer.

Gareth Southgate brings a young squad interspersed with some experienced names hoping to improve upon the last few tournaments.

Many are saying it’s another two years until we’ll see the best of this group of players. But a run past the second round would be a solid step forward.

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